Topic: Lets be honest; Zelda's Story sucks

The following is an opinion of an individual. everyone is entitled to their own, this is mine.
coming from a Zelda veteran, who's played and beaten most of the games, i think i'm qualified to say that, for the most part, the story in Zelda games are pretty awful. i'd say that nobody plays Zelda games for the story, or at least i know i don't. the only Zelda game i've ever played for the story was Majora's Mask. The stories in Zelda games only really act as something to push the player to play the game, but i feel unfortunately, that nintendo wants to make the story a bigger part of the games. frankly, nintendo are better game makers than they are story tellers.

While this is true, it doesn't bother me one bit. Kirby is the worst offender, though! The stories in Kirby games are downright ridiculous! But the games are still awesome! Zelda games are really fun (as are Mario games, etc.), so a lack of story is OK. The only game I've really played that had a story I really liked and amazing gameplay was Portal 2; it's definitely a hard balance to strike and only certain people seem to be able to do it effectively. But again: I don't think it usually hurts the game at all, though.

I play Zelda games for the story... I also think the plot line for most of the games after A Link to the Past are pretty good when it comes to games. The story reflects what the game is about, Zelda games are about adventure, and the story is about your adventure as the Hero Link. Changing how the story works would also change the game genre. I do think they should go deeper though. I want a Zelda game that makes me question life itself. I want one that has me constantly questioning what's going on and who I am. I want something that goes extremely deep and is a little more mature when it comes to perceiving the world around you.

yeah Zelda has no outstanding story but it does the job right and isn't boring. I actually like more the Zelda stories than those overly dramatic games with stories that try to be so deep that they end shallow for being impossible to understand.
edit: Twilight Princess is an exception though, the story was perfect(for a Zelda game)

Hahhaha! If there is an award for the best thread title, you should get it!

I have to agree though. I have played and beaten more than half a dozen Zelda games and I can't remember a single thing about their plots/storylines beyond the basic 'save the princess while meeting helpful friends along the way'.

Now that I actually think of it, I have no problem reciting off the basic plot points of films I've seen and describing their narratives, but I can't do the same for a Zelda game.

That's why people read books. Don't look for that in a Nintendo game.

I've never understood people who say the story in Zelda games is amazing, because honestly it's pretty standard stuff. If anything, I think it's the storytelling that makes the experience.

Personally, I think stories in all video games are bad. They can seem good because of the drawn out interactive experience that video games have paired with a sense of accomplishment. Strip video games down to just their story and they're incredibly basic. I actually think if the story gets too complex it can hinder the gameplay.
And, agreed, you want a good story - read a book.

Burn him alive.

no, they don't

you must've been playing the wrong games all this time

If you want it to be clear that this is just your opinion, don't call your thread "Lets be honest; Zelda's Story sucks".

You have lost all respect I had for you.

i'd say that nobody plays Zelda games for the story, or at least i know i don't. the only Zelda game i've ever played for the story was Majora's Mask.

You have regained all of your lost respect.

The stories in Zelda games only really act as something to push the player to play the game, but i feel unfortunately, that nintendo wants to make the story a bigger part of the games. frankly, nintendo are better game makers than they are story tellers.

Meh, I feel like they could do better, and yes, without a doubt the gameplay is better than the stories, but as long as the gameplay keeps it's quality, I see no issue in perfecting the story.

@tsm7 you never played any Visual Novel type of game, right? also a lot of JRPGs have great stories...
look more into Hotel Dusk and Ace Attorney and try some JRPGs(not the popular ones) they will change your mind

Zelda Games have ALWAYS been about the adventure, and really, that's all they've need to be. Story has never been a strong point for Nintendo. the Metroid series is almost a mirror copy of the Alien series, and we all remember Other M. Mario Games pretty much have no story, and Zelda games usually consist of saving the princess for their story.

I played 999 which I think is considered a visual novel. I like the stories in games and the stories in Zelda. I find them enjoyable but only within the setting of the game. I still recognize for the most part if you were take only the story element and put it on paper it's very basic.

See, this is where we need to have a discussion about what you think makes a story "good".

I think the fantastic storytelling in Zelda games makes up for the lack of deep, complex stories. I definitely play Zelda games in part for experiencing that story. They're also filled with fantastic, likeable characters, which really make me care about it more. Even cameos and side characters that you only see once in the whole story have unique and charming personalities.

Zelda games are like playing a well-written story book, and there's nothing wrong with that.

we have a winner here. I doubt anyone coul put it in better words.....

its not that i need to describe what makes a story good, but generally Zelda Stories are the same every time, some exceptions of course. stop the bad guy, save the princess, save the world. this is the story for:
-The Legend of Zelda
-Zelda II: The Adventure of Link
-A Link to the Past
-Ocarina of Time
-Minish Cap
-Wind Waker
-Skyward Sword
-A Link between Worlds
most zelda games follow the formula, but the reason it works for the most part id because its told well almost every time a little bit differently.